Life Lessons....

I once told a lie to a mutual friend 

of my boyfriend 

who stole from and beat me,

that I inherited a great deal of money;

knowing he would

find me and apologize

to get me back.

I wanted revenge.

When he came to apologize

I gracefully accepted his apology

but insisted I would not give him another chance

to hurt me again...

At the time I thought myself wise

but now I realize

I was equally deceptive

not only to him

but to his friend....

who did nothing to me.

If truth and love is my goal

than I must admit

my wrong doing;

there were 'red flags'

when I first met him...

but because I thought him

handsome and exciting

I betrayed my intuition.

Ignoring my 'inner knowing'

usually sends me down the wrong path.

In order to learn the lesson,

I must listen to myself,

 trust myself

and to always, always

honor myself.

© dkb

My Calling, My Beliefs....

I am not old… she said
I am rare.

I am the standing ovation
At the end of the play.

I am the retrospective
Of my life as art

I am the hours
Connected like dots
Into good sense

I am the fullness
Of existing.

You think I am waiting to die…
But I am waiting to be found

I am a treasure.
I am a map.

And these wrinkles are
Imprints of my journey

Ask me
anything.

Author: Samantha Reynolds

I found the poem above yesterday

and it spoke to me:

...

I too sense the eternal flame of my soul...

it is ageless.

The more I stay true

the younger and more vibrant I feel.

I am spiritual.

I am a mystical seeker.

I don't call it "religion"

because for me, God is love

so Love is my spiritual quest.

My church is Mother Nature...

which always touches my soul.
My heart is happy with family and friends.

I aspire to be non judgmental and full of peace.

I've learned I don't have to be nextdoor

to be close to someone I care about..

I realize it is not about fame and fortune

it is about spreading love, listening, and lifting up others

.

It is not about the possessions I have

in fact, often, it gets in the way of my path...

It is not about what I look like,

the color of my skin

(although, sadly, for some, it is..)

it is more important to me

to have the energy and motivation

to stay on my true path.

My soul seeks out my unique purpose and odyssey..

Some days are challenging

but it only makes those good days so much sweeter...

I strive to stay open

so I can learn, grow and know.

 I am very Blessed;

 my power is keeping that prominent

and aware within me daily.

I cannot allow to take it for granted

because the backslide is much too regressive.

I wish everyone felt inclusive and loved.

I wish we all felt as one

like we did when those boys

were trapped in that Thai cave...

I felt so hopeful

because I could feel the Universal Love

and prayer for their safety...

Could you?

It felt like they were our family...

because they really are.

© dkb

Differences...

If I like most vegetables

and you prefer corn and peas

that doesn't mean 

I have to give up other vegetables.

If I like to read

and you prefer the television

agreeably it is a challenge

but not impossible.

If I am angry and fearful

and you are calm and loving

we may have clashes

but we also have a counter-balance.

If you are Republican

and I am a Democrat

it only means 

we have different political views.

If I am black skinned

and your skin color is another

our hearts still beat the same

but our life experiences may be different.

How I was raised

and what I was exposed to

programs and shapes how I feel,

determining if I see "us" or "them"...
but I always have the option
to change..

Being human

 feels more secure
 to seek the familiar or the "better";

differences, too often feel
more like rejection or threatening.

In such times,
 I must seek the Spirit within me
and remember Love..

It boils down to love and fear

I am either one or the other.

Since I strive for more love...I feel more responsibility

to help those with fear...
and hopefully, those with more love
help me when I am fearful.

Those who prefer to keep

rather than share

may have never experienced

needing a helping hand...

A stranger is no longer one

after we meet and get to learn
about one another...

I think it's interesting to find common ground

unless judgment and prejudice is preferred..
then it usually ends up divisive...

I don't have to be your "best friend"

but can't we see the honor to agree to disagree?

I feel, respect for our differences

is the beginning of a solution.

If there is 360 degrees within a circle

and the circle is a symbol of wholeness

then let us start with the concept

there are at least 360 ways to look at any problem.

I wish we all knew

our souls are eternal...

We've been here before

but we didn't get it right then either....

Maybe this time

today, this moment, 

we can strive to make a difference

for the better...

My Soul wants to belong

My Spirits wants to expand.

My Human-ness wants to be right...
but I have learned its best to stay open...

Combine it all
 and hopefully,
 it becomes potential,
for a universal answer.

© dkb

Hurried Woman....

The past two months

there has been road work 

in the middle of the road

traveling down the hill

from where we live.

The entire community 

knows about it...

So this morning

while driving to class

a young woman in a big, grey, Ford truck

sped up to cut me off 

to get one vehicle ahead

of me...

It was like she thought

she was invisible

and no one could see

her disregard

and rudeness.

I had left early

because I don't like to rush,

so I observed her

but did not allow her actions

to disturb my drive...

I watched her brake lights

go on and off

as she weaved herself

in and out of cars

all the way down the hill...

I'm choosing to believe

she had an emergency

and praying she got there safe.

I bless you hurried woman

and wish you well....

© dkb

Fight or Flight...

Living in a constant state

of "fight or flight" drains me

of all energy to create

and to appreciate this moment.

© dkb

Building Bridges....

life is a raging river

full of cascading waterfalls

rushing over jagged rocks

with time polishing me smooth...

eventually

emptying into calm ponds
of love...

God is the ocean

I am a drop of water
in a tiny tributary

working my way back
home....

I strive to be flexible in spirit

often, rigid in flesh..

I keep returning
to the familiar
 dysfunctional

 suspension bridge

with frayed ropes 

and missing planks

instead of trusting myself
to take a leap of faith..
a different path,
like a felled log
of opportunity,

firm and wide...waiting....
  for me to cross the chasm
of my fears and insecurity...

I can do this....

I can trust my way across...

© dkb

Boundaries and Self Reliance

Healthy and solid relationships
each stand alone but are united;
not leaning upon the other.
Lop-sided responsibility
becomes habit
and one morning, you awake
and there is a subtle uncertainty
doubting your abilities
because you have become
so out of practice...
Keeping boundaries and self reliance
is as important as hygiene, exercise,
eating right and brushing your teeth.

© dkb

No more labels...

Step away from that label,
No need to limit yourself, or
pay any attention to
someone else's opinion
or judgment...
Why define?
Who says we have to?
I am me
You are you,
yet, we are the same
Is it not the bigger picture
to love?
Love doesn't need an explanation...
It just feels good.

© dkb

Energy......

I feel your energy,
do you feel mine?
Invisible electrical waves
ebb and flow
or crash in a negative explosion...
Good vibes, bad vibes;
we feel it first.
I want to stay tuned in.
I want to ebb and flow.
I want positive, sympathetic,
uplifting energy.
I want to grow.
I want to know.
I want to regenerate
and energize by simply placing
my hand upon my heart...

© dkb

Consciousness expands....

As I wade into
the 3rd act of my life,
the more I realize
how healthy it is
to go within.
Meditation has become
a way to check my life
for leaks.
Being mindful
of what drains my energy
and what lifts me up.
What makes others happy
or some one's unsolicited advice
may not work for me.
The old axiom,
'be your own best friend'
is so true...
If I don't take the time
within myself,
it is too easy
to become distracted.
I am my first
line of defense
knowing myself the best.
When I am peaceful
within my mind and body,
silence is not threatening.
I welcome the insights,
in being true to myself,
which flow gently into my life
like waves upon the shore.
Consciousness expands...

© dkb

I am...

I don't lose my power
or my Spirit
or my Soul
just because
someone does not
see or appreciate me.

© dkb

Maybe Zen-like is better...

Self permission given today
allowing my home cleaned
by someone else.
Awkward as it was,
staying out of the way
in my own house;
it felt good
saving my energy.
Delegating is healthy;
Honoring my self promises
for more creativity.
Opening opportunities
to learn...
and see that 'less is more'
especially when one pays
to have someone pick it up
and dust it....
Maybe Zen-like is better.

© dkb

Singing to the Universe....

I sing out
to the Universe
my Creativity is coming
no limits
going forward
believing
trusting
I sing out peace to all
I sing out truth
I sing out service and good will
I sing with determination
wanting to be all I can be
courage is mine
I follow my intuition
grateful for my gifts
from the Master Artist

© dkb

Acrylic on stretched canvas....STAR GAZER....3' X 4' © dkb